Dare County will host three community meetings in early October to provide residents with information about the one-quarter cent ($0.0025) sales tax referendum that will appear on the November 3, 2026, General Election ballot. If approved by voters, the sales tax increase—which is just one-quarter of a penny—would provide a dedicated source of funding for improvements, renovations and expansions to Dare County Parks and Recreation facilities and fields, addressing needs identified through a countywide recreation assessment and community input.  

The resulting $56.9 million Parks & Recreation Recommendations and Implementation 2025-2035 Plan developed by McGill Associates includes improvements intended to expand capacity and enhance recreational opportunities for residents of all ages, from youth and teens to adults and older adults. Because the scope and cost of these identified needs exceed what can be funded through the county’s normal budgeting process, the proposed sales tax would provide an additional funding source for these long-term investments.  

If approved during the November 3, 2026, General Election, the sales tax rate would increase from 6.75% to 7.0%, generating an estimated $6.1 million annually to support the plan and related programming. Groceries, gasoline, automobiles, and prescriptions would be exempt from the increase, and the estimated added cost for residents is approximately $14 per year for individuals or $22 per year for families. 

The upcoming community meetings are designed to give the public an opportunity to learn more about the referendum, the proposed Parks & Recreation improvements and what the measure would entail ahead of Election Day. 

The community meetings will be held at each of the Dare County Parks and Recreation Department’s three divisions as follows.  

• Hatteras Island Division: Monday, October 5, 2026, at 6 p.m.
  Fessenden Center (46830 N.C. Highway 12, Buxton, NC)  

• Roanoke Island/Mainland Division: Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6 p.m.
  Lions Club Center (1000 Westcott Park Road, Manteo, NC)  

• Northern Beach Division: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 6 p.m.
  Dare County Youth Center (602 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills, NC)